Associate Director for Community Activation

The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) invests in a network of community-based organizations and programs to alleviate the effects of poverty and to provide opportunities for New Yorkers and communities to flourish.

The DYCD Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) is committed to reducing violence, enhancing public safety, and empowering communities to take an active role in shaping the future of their neighborhoods. Through a combination of innovative programs, collaborative partnerships, and community engagement, ONS works to prevent violence and provide transformative opportunities for individuals and communities most impacted by violence.

ONS works in close partnership with community-based organizations, law enforcement, public health agencies, and other stakeholders to create and sustain safety within neighborhoods. The office coordinates proactive violence prevention efforts, including youth outreach, mentorship, and case management, as well as intervention strategies to stop cycles of retaliation and provide direct services to those at the highest risk.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: The Associate Director for Community Activation of ONS must be a proven manager and thought leader in the field of violence prevention. The role will be responsible for providing strategic and programmatic leadership for the City’s Crisis Management System (CMS), a network of partners that deploy a credible messenger model of community violence prevention and intervention. The Associate Director will report to the Deputy Executive Director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and DYCD Leadership. Among the tasks that the Director will need to execute are: Directs on-going work in the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) portfolio related to Crisis Management System programs, services, and networks to reduce violence and empower communities most impacted by gun violence.

Oversee the day-to-day operations of violence prevention services, ensuring they are aligned with best practices, evidence-based strategies, and community needs. Oversees the portfolio of contracts within ONS that relate to this work, ensuring alignment with Agency goals. Provides fiscal, operational, and programmatic oversight to programs and services within the ONS portfolio including Community-led Approaches to Public Safety, Hospital-based Violence Intervention programs, crisis responses and activation, therapeutic services, school- based programming and more. Manages staff members responsible for contract oversight, data reporting, community engagement, agency coordination, and problem solving.

Directs strategy and implementation of ONS initiatives to respond to the social determinants of community violence, including the development of new community-based public health violence prevention initiatives. Cultivates and maintains excellent relationships with stakeholder groups, other government agencies including law enforcement agencies, community non-profits, advocates, family members, survivors, and justice-impacted individuals. Work closely with the Mayor’s Office, criminal justice system partners, public health agencies, schools, and other city departments to align violence prevention efforts with broader public safety goals. Collaborates with stakeholders to identify opportunities for improved coordination across the violence prevention, community development, and public health ecosystem. Stays informed about emerging trends, research, and best practices in violence prevention. Represents the Office of Neighborhood Safety in public forums, meetings, and events to raise awareness about available resources and the importance of community-based violence prevention. Prepare regular reports and presentations on program outcomes, community impact, and key performance indicators for city leadership, stakeholders, and funders. Provides administrative support as needed, including contract management, preparation of meeting materials, and other duties as assigned. Hire, train, and supervise program staff, providing ongoing professional development opportunities. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation within the department.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.